charles w



(N6 Model.)

G. WVSTIMSON; GARMENT SUPPORTER.

No. 542,211. v Patented Jul 2, 1895.

-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES w. STIMSON, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

GARMENT-SUPPORTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 542,211, dated July 2, I895.

Application filed November 20, 1894- Serial No. 529,400. (No model.)

My invention relates to clasps for garments,

and particularly to that class of clasps which are used principally for hose or garment supporters, wherein the clasp consists of a headed button and a loop, both attached to the fabric of the supporter, the loop having in it an opening for the reception of the button, which at one end is of such a size as to permit the head of the button to pass therethrough, while at the other end the opening is so narrow that the head of the button cannot pass therethrough, the fabric of the garment to be supported being caught between the button and the sides of the loop at this narrower end when the clasp is in use.

My invention consists in the novel construc tion of the spring-loop employed in my clasp.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide a spring-loop for garment-supporters having means for preventing undue separation and consequent distortion of the sides of the loop and which shall be compact, thin, and neat in appearance; second, to so construct this loop that there may be no parts or edges to catch in the clothing or flesh of the wearer, and, third, to provide a loop which, while possessing the above-enumerated advantages, may be simple, cheap, durable, and easily operated. These objects are attained in the spring-loop herein described, and illustrated in the drawings which accompany and form a part of this application, in which the same reference-numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts, and in which- Figure l is a top view of the clasp closed.- Fig. 2 is an edge View of the same. Fig. 3 is a top view of one form of spring-loop to be used in the said clasp. Fig. 4 is a similar view of another form of spring-loop; and Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line w w of Fig. 3, showing the position of the band which limits the extent to which the sides of the loop may be separated.

In the drawings, 1 is the loop; 2, the button, which has a head 3 and a shank 4, smaller in diameter than the head, and 5 is the fabric to which loop and button are attached. The loop, as shown in the drawings, is formed of thin metal and has an opening which, at the larger end 6 of the loop, is large enough to permit the head of the button to pass therethrough, while at the smaller end 7 of the loop the opening is sufticiently large so that the button is held loosely therein, but is too small to permit the head of the button to pass thereth rough. At an intermediate point 8 the opening in the loop is contracted, so as to be somewhat narrower than the shank of the button, which therefore can pass from one end of the loop to the other only by springing the sides of the loop apart.

The device for preventing undue distension of the loop consists of a band 11, connecting the sides of the loop at or near the end where the same are disconnected. In the form of loop shown in Fig. 3 the band 11 passes through openings 10 10 in the sides ofthe loop, while in the form shown in Fig. 4 the band embraces the end of the loop, fitting into depressions in the sides. In both forms the band is of such size that the sides of the loop may separate to some extent, and the band only limits this separation when it other wise would be excessive, so that there would be danger of distorting the loop.

It will be noticed that in the preferred form of my loop (shown in Fig. 3) the band 11 is entirely covered by the webbing, so that the external appearance-of the clasp is the same as though a plain loop were used.

The operation of my spring-loop is as follows: When the button is inserted into the opening at the larger end of the loop and is pushed toward the smaller end, as the shank of the button enters the contracted portion 8 it pushes out the sides of the loop until the opening at Sis sufficiently wide to permit the button to pass. After the button has passed through this contracted portion the sides of the loop spring together again. A similar operation takes place when the button is pushed upward, the band 11 in both cases preventing the sides of the loop from being separated so far that the loop is distorted.

Having thus completely described my invention, what'l claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a garment supporter, the combination with a loop having an opening enlarged at one end and contracted at the other end, the top portion of said loop having disconnected ends, of a band connecting the ends of said loop and adapted to limit the separation thereof, and located at a point intermediate between the extremities of said loop, and a strip of fabric connected to said loop, substantially as described.

2. In a clasp, the combination, with a button, of a spring loop having an opening enlarged at the ends and contracted at an intermediate point, one end of said opening being adapted to permit the passage of the head of the button therethrough and the other end being adapted to receive the shank of the button but to prevent the passage of the head of the button, the top portion of said lo op having disconnected ends, of a band connecting the ends of said loop and adapted to limit the separation thereof and a strip of fabric attached to said loop and covering and concealing said band and the disconnected end of said loop, substantially as described.

3. In a clasp, the combination, with a button, of a spring loop having an opening enlarged at the ends and contracted at an intermediate point, one end of said opening being adapted to permit the passage of the head of r the button therethrongh and the other end being adapted to receive the shank of tliebutton but to prevent the passage of the head of the button, the sides of said loop being disconnected at one end, openings 10,10, in said disconnected end, aband 11 passing through said openings 10, 10, and connecting the sides of the loop, and a strip of fabric connecting said button and loop and covering the disconnected end of said loop, substantially as described.

4.. In a garment supporter, the combination with aloop having an opening enlarged at one end, and contracted at the other end, the top portion of said loop having disconnected ends, of openingslO in said disconnected ends, and a band 11 passing through said openings and connecting the sides of the loop, substantially as described.

5. In agarment supporter, the combination, with a loop having an opening enlarged at one end and contracted at the other end, and hav ing its sides separated at the larger end of the loop, of a band 11 connecting,the sides of the loop at said larger end, and adapted to limit the separation thereof, and a strip of fabric attached to said loop and covering and concealing the said band and the disconnected ends of the loop, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I at'fix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. STIMSON. Witnesses:

HENRY KROPF, HARRY M. MARBLE. 

